Once Upon a Time in Venice (2017)

A Los Angeles detective seeks out the ruthless gang that stole his dog.

Director:

Mark Cullen

Writers:

Mark Cullen, Robb Cullen

Stars:

Bruce Willis, John Goodman, Jason Momoa

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Willis	...	Steve Ford
John Goodman	...	Dave
Jason Momoa	...	Spider
Emily Robinson	...	Taylor
Jessica Gomes	...	Nola
Kaleti Williams	...	Manu
Myles Humphus	...	Tui
Famke Janssen	...	Katey
Thomas Middleditch	...	John (as Thomas Middeditch)
Maurice Compte	...	Oscar
Stephanie Sigman	...	Lupe
Adrian Martinez	...	Tino
Ken Davitian	...	Yuri
Victor Ortiz	...	Chewy
Adam Goldberg	...	Lew the Jew

Storyline

Steve Ford (Bruce Willis) is a down but not out L.A based Private Investigator whose professional and personal worlds collide after his loving pet Buddy is stolen by a notorious gang. A series of crazy circumstances find him doing the gang's bidding, while being chased by two vengeful Samoan brothers, a loan shark's goons, and a few other shady characters. They say a dog is a man's best friend, and Steve shows how far a man will go to be reunited with him.

---

Plot Keywords:

private investigator | dognapping | graffiti | sex scene | skate park | 

---

Taglines:

Hang together or die alone.

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 June 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Going Under

Filming Locations:

Venice Beach, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Voltage Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Ralph Garman, on a podcast (Hollywood Babble-On), he is not in the movie anymore because his scenes were cut. This was due to Bruce Willis deeming the scenes featuring Garman unnecessary to shoot.

---

Goofs

When Steve Ford jams door with shovel, you can clearly see someone standing behind the door, though it would mean that someone from Spyder's gang is there and knows about Steve's presence in garage.

---

Quotes

Spider: I want my shit back!
Steve Ford: I want my dog back.

---

Crazy Credits

In the middle of the credits, there is a small cut-scene where John (Thomas Middleditch) tries to free himself by rocking the chair that he's tied to but instead falls down.

---

Connections

References Easy Rider (1969)

---

Soundtracks

Happiness
Written by Sophia Avocado
Performed by Sophia Avocado
Published by Hollywood Film and TV Music (ASCAP)
© Psychedelic Records

User Reviews

Robbing Peter to pay Paul

Pure shtick that reminded me of the old "Airplane" movies. Bruce Willis does comedy well and has a great supporting cast: - a thin and bi-polar John Goodman - Famke Janssen in a much lighter role that her Blacklist espionage - a little bit of Kal Penn playing a 3rd world bodega clerk.

Willis has to jump through a web of interconnected heists in hope of recovering his stolen dog. The bits are klutzy and brilliant to the end. While I was amused, I cannot recommend over all the other greater movies.